Jan 7, misty Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh

Hurry, hurry, nothing but chicken curry. We’re beat.    

The fog was so thick this morning you could cut it with a knife. Puffing and oozing from every nook, constant mist moved by gushes of wind covered the grounds of fortified ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, condensed vapor resting on our faces. Bathed in mysticism, perfect weather and light conditions the place was a photographer’s dream. Emperor Akbar built this Indo-Islamic masterpiece in the late 1500’s but water shortages in the area forced its’ abandonment shortly after his death. 

Loosing all sense of time we disappeared here for over 4 hours. 
Ajay, our driver/travel companion/menu interpreter/quickly becoming our friend Rajastani from Mampuram, must’ve thought we were lost for good, bewilderment written all over his face upon our return. He doesn’t talk much about his family or personal life, unless we ask, and despite a great sense of humor his jokes are getting lost in translation, unless they’re accidental, but he’s full of stories about Hindi deities and wrestling, knows the best roadside spots for chai, and is one spectacular driver. Come what may - cows, goats, monkeys, camels, dogs, people, motorcycles, cars, rickshaws - we feel safe on the back seat. 

Rajastan welcomed us with fields of gold - stretched both sides of the road as far as the horizon.